Pheasants Forever Promotes Matt Gottlob to South Dakota State Coordinator

Pheasants Forever is proud to announce the promotion of Matt Gottlob to South Dakota state coordinator. In his new role, Gottlob will drive SD habitat programs, lead a talented team of field staff, and work closely with partners to ensure habitat conservation continues to be recognized as a critically important driver of abundant wildlife populations, sustainable agriculture, healthy soil, and clean water.  

“Matt has been a key part of our team in the last several years,” said Eran Sandquist, Pheasants Forever’s Midwest director of conservation. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position, understands the habitat needs of upland wildlife throughout South Dakota, and recognizes the intersection of habitat, hunting heritage, and rural economies. The Pheasant Capital has a bright future ahead with Matt leading Pheasants Forever’s conservation efforts.”

Prior to joining Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Gottlob was a research graduate assistant at South Dakota State University, where he earned a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science. He joined The Habitat Organization in 2016 as a range and wildlife conservationist, a position he held until being offered the role of state coordinator this spring. Gottlob also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Black Hills State University. 

In his previous role, Gottlob built lasting relationships with agency partners, developed conservation program contracts for agricultural producers, and implemented large-scale conservation plans across public and private lands. He will now coordinate and lead state-level habitat and advocacy efforts in South Dakota, ensuring effective conservation delivery throughout the state’s pheasant range. 

“I feel incredibly blessed to work for The Habitat Organization, improving South Dakota’s natural resources through my daily work,” Gottlob said. “My experience has provided me with a critical understanding of the important work our biologists and chapters accomplish every day to further our habitat mission. I look forward to leading our South Dakota team and expanding critical partnerships to help deliver more habitat throughout the state.” 

For more information about Pheasants Forever in South Dakota, contact Matt Gottlob at 605-421-8821 or mgottlob@pheasantsforever.org

About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 575,000 habitat projects benefiting 24 million acres.

Media Contact
Casey Sill
(402) 657-4143
csill@pheasantsforever.org